This randomized, controlled exercise intervention with three groups compares two exercise approaches to standard of care. Supervised interventions are administered for four months, with emphasis on patients adopting exercise habits to continue to exercise for an additional 12 months. Functional outcomes are measured at the completion of the supervised exercise (4 months) as well as 10 and 16 months.

Subjects take part in an exercise program based on flexibility and function.

Behavioral: Flexibility and Function exercise program

Experimental: Aerobic Exercise

Subjects will take part in an aerobic exercise program

Behavioral: Aerobic Exercise

Home exercise

Standard of care home exercise program

Behavioral: Home exercise program

Detailed Description:

This randomized, controlled exercise intervention study compares physical therapy interventions for people in early and mid‐stages of Parkinson's disease. Two different approaches to exercise are compared to standard of care. The two exercise programs consist of supervised interventions, administered for four months, with emphasis on patients adopting exercise habits to continue to exercise for an additional 12 months. The standard of care program consists of a home program in which participants exercise in a group setting once a month with an exercise trainer. Functional outcomes are measured at the completion of the supervised exercise at 4 months as well as 10 and 16 months. This study is the first long term exercise study for people with Parkinson's disease PD of which we are aware and is the most comprehensive examination of exercise for people with PD to date. Results of this study will provide definitive information regarding the best approach to exercise for people in early and mid stages of PD, both in terms of immediate 4 month and long term 16 month effects.

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

35 Years and older (Adult, Senior)

Genders Eligible for Study:

Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Clinical diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease

Hoehn & Yahr stages 1-3.5

Exclusion Criteria:

Cardiovascular contraindications to aerobic exercise

Reliance on walker or wheelchair

Psychiatric conditions

DBS or other surgeries

Any other conditions that would interfere with exercise

Contacts and Locations

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01257945

Locations

United States, Colorado

University of Colorado Denver

Aurora, Colorado, United States, 80045

Sponsors and Collaborators

University of Colorado, Denver

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)